Stories

A Better Calgary in Progress 2016

Post Date: Friday, August 26, 2016

During the 2013 municipal election, Mayor Nenshi ran on a platform to make Calgary even better by focusing on improving how Calgary grows, how Calgarians get around, how we build communities, and how our government works. While everything done
by The City of Calgary is found in the Action Plan four year budget that was unanimously approved by City Council,
below are some highlights from the past year and a half based on the mayor's platform.
Even Better Transportation

Whether you choose to drive, walk, bike, or take a cab or public transit, you should have a convenient,
safe, and consistent option to get around our city. I will champion projects that improve transportation for all Calgarians.

Improved taxi queuing and traffic flow at the Stampede grounds during Stampede.

Created a new bylaw that allows for Transportation
Network Companies (such as Uber) to operate in Calgary and revised the regulations for taxi and limousine services to allow them to offer private-for-hire
vehicle service in Calgary:

Council passed a new bylaw in early 2016

App-based taxi companies are already coming to Calgary

The new bylaw has sparked a price-war which has lowered taxi rates by 12 to 20 per cent

Even Better Growth

Wherever you live in Calgary—whether it’s in an existing or new community—you deserve to have the amenities, infrastructure, and overall quality
of life that is consistent throughout the city. Evolving existing neighbourhoods and changing the way we build new neighbourhoods takes time and effort
from many different parties, but I am committed to smarter growth that benefits all Calgarians.

New neighbourhoods & Established neighbourhoods

We’re building a more economically sustainable city! Council unanimously passed a new Off-Site Levy Bylaw that creates a fair way to share the cost of off-site infrastructure (water and wastewater treatment facilities, recreation centres, roads, libraries,
fire halls, police stations, etc.) in new and established neighbourhoods.

The City established a long-term, sustainable means of funding the cost of development by:

Developing with industry a transparent method to calculate and share the cost of infrastructure

Due to new Community Guidebook adopted in 2014 and revised in 2015, these new communities will be more integrated, complete communities and will be better served by roads, transit,
parks, and city services.

Supported the establishment the China Town Business Revitalization Zone.

Completed work on the Civic District Public Realm Strategy,
a comprehensive vision for the Civic District to guide the redevelopment and enhancement of the area, a strategy to be adopted by Council in January
2016.

Established dedicated Microcar Parking Stalls in downtown Calgary in spaces where normal cars do not fit to create new stalls for microcars and carshare vehicles to meet parking demand.

Our city needs to be attractive, safe, and vibrant, with opportunities for all. Calgary consistently ranks as one of the top five liveable cities in the
world, but it can be better. I will continue to fight poverty and support programs and projects that make every community a place where we can all have
a great Canadian life.

Supported Calgary settlement agencies and community
groups in the initial arrival and settling of 1300 Syrian Refugees into the community.

Even Better Government

We need a municipal government that is citizen-focused and facilitates the success of citizens... but government can't do it alone. The City is constantly
improving and adapting to the needs of our citizens—you—and we’re doing it in a prudent way that ensures we have some of the lowest property
taxes in Canada. I am committed to working with you to make this city even better.

Passed the Community Economic Resiliency Fund Package,
a $30 million dollar fund to support economic development, affordable housing and not-for-profit organizations and City Business Units adversely
affected by the economic downturn.

$7 million dedicated to Calgary Economic Development to carry out economic development and promotion initiatives.

Responsible Budgeting

Property tax rate for 2016 reduced from 4.7% to 3.5%

Property tax rate for 2015 lowered from 4.5% to 4.2%

Fire Department Zero Based Review found over $15 million in annual savings.

Capital stimulus budget brought forward $2.34 billion in infrastructure funding and advances several projects from the 2017/18/19 years into 2016 to
accelerate the number of shovel ready projects.

Continue the phase out of the business tax.

Budget Savings Account set up and over $86 million saved between operation efficiencies and projects savings.